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Graphic Communication

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Winchester School of Art

Course summary

About this course
Study BA Graphic Communication and develop the expertise and knowledge to become a design expert. Learn core skills in graphic design, motion, interaction, illustration and photography. You can choose to focus on a specialism or keep your interests broad as an interdisciplinary designer. You'll learn visual, technical, transferable and conceptual skills through your engagement with four communities of learning including design for good, identity and information, language and narrative & future environments.

The latest industry knowledge is embedded into this graphic communication course, to help you become a career-ready designer. You’ll engage with creative professionals who will share their expertise and creative practice which will prepare you for a wide range of creative careers where 92% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2022/2023, published in 2025).

Key features of the course:

  • Take part in exhibitions from the WSA degree show to the London graduate showcase.

  • Enter international competitions such as the Silent Book Contest and the Student Award Scheme run by the International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD).

  • Attend weekly guest lecture series allows you to meet and discuss the work of exciting contemporary practitioners and creative agencies, and build important industry networks.

Student Support
You’ll become part of a close-knit community, supported by inspiring tutors who are committed to helping students achieve their creative goals. You will be working closely with your peers in a close-knit class, you’ll collaborate, inspire one another and explore concepts you are passionate about.

Further information
The BA Graphic Communication is a three-year, full-time course at our Winchester School of Art. You can also apply to add a year abroad or year in industry, extending your degree to four years. For details, visit our course page.

Modules

Over the three years of this Graphic Communication course, you will explore a broad range of graphic design and build skills in areas like illustrations and photography.

Year 1: Introduction to Graphic Communication; Contemporary Practice and Critical Issues; Histories & Theories of Graphic Communication; Communities of Learning
Year 2: Explorations; Professional & Critical Contexts; Self-initiated Project; Collaborate
Year 3: Final Project; Promotion and Showcase; External Projects; Professional Planning

You will also have opportunities to tailor your learning through student-selected year in employment or year abroad.

For a full list of modules available please visit the course page.

Assessment method

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
W211
Institution code:
S27
Campus name:
Winchester School of Art
Campus Code:
W

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/international/your-country.page

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - BBC

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM

Distinction, Distinction, Merit in the BTEC National Extended Diploma.

Access to HE Diploma

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 of which 18 credits must be at Distinction and 27 credits at Merit.

Scottish Higher

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4" We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DM

Distinction, Merit in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in an A level, or Distinction, Distinction in the BTEC National Diploma plus C in an A level.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

Distinction in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus BC in two A levels, or Merit in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus BB in two A levels.

Scottish Advanced Higher

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact Admissions for more information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points

Pass, with 28 points overall with 14 points at Higher Level. Applications where Higher Level subjects have been studied without the full Diploma, will also be considered on a case by case basis. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP): Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

BBC from three A levels or BB from two A levels and C from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

In addition to those qualifications listed, we also accept a pass in an Art & Design foundation programme.

We welcome applicants with other qualifications eg. European Baccalaureate. You will be expected to attain an A level equivalent standard.

The University of Southampton requires all applicants to achieve at least a Grade 4 in English and Mathematics GCSEs (taken in England) or a Grade C in both subjects (where taken in Northern Ireland or Wales). Some degree subjects stipulate specific additional GCSE minimum grades, which will be specified as part of the individual degree programme entry requirements.

For more details on the suitability of your qualifications or foundation programme please contact the Faculty of Arts and Humanities Admissions Team at AdmissionsUG.AH@southampton.ac.uk

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio
Applicants who are based outside the UK and whose academic qualifications meet (or are on track to meet) our entry requirements will be required to send us a portfolio of their work. Portfolios will be requested by email after an application has been reviewed. Portfolio guidance sheets can be found at http://www.southampton.ac.uk/wsa/undergraduate/apply.page

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5with no component below 6.0
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.

Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

A proportion of students who enrolled on this course in previous years exceeded their offer conditions securing their place on their chosen course with grades higher than our published entry criteria.

We encourage all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, to apply to study with us. Applicants who qualify for contextual admissions will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Learn more on the University of Southampton website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9535*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535*Year 1
Scotland£9535*Year 1
Wales£9535*Year 1
Channel Islands£9535*Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9535*Year 1
EU£24800Year 1
International£24800Year 1

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page

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